How much free will do we have?

[Roots to Wings]

How much free will do we have? Is it like it God wants us to do something he puts barriers in our way to cause us to go this way or that? I'm not looking for a real answer just thoughts on it since I dont know if there even is a real answe or that we even understand God's ways.

Any thoughts on this?

How much does prayer change the free will of another person such as praying for wayward children or husband or wife or whatever? Verses on any of this would be helpful but everyones thoughts are welcome to maybe give me a different perepective.

[kjlistrom]

How much free will do we have?
We have have as much free will as it takes to condemn ourselves to eternal hell.
Is it like it God wants us to do something he puts barriers in our way to cause us to go this way or that?
He would never block the path of His will. That door will be wide open and all you have to do is walk through it.
I'm not looking for a real answer just thoughts on it since I don't know if there even is a real answer or that we even understand God's ways.
Its been my experience, that all we have to do is look around to see if God is working, if we look around we can see missionaries out in the field, Well, as we see them, God is inviting us to join in. When we are at work and we see a person that is sad and troubled, well, when you give Godly encouragement to that person, thats doing His will. All we have to do is look around and we can see where we are needed and God is inviting us to join Him and when we do, thats doing His will.
If on the other hand, you see some teaching Sunday School and you step up to teach also but all the classes are full, well God just put a block in front of you, and you just look somewhere else to see where God needs you.

Any thoughts on this?
What I have said here is just IMHO
If we see God working around us, than thats God inviting us to join Him.

How much does prayer change the free will of another person such as praying for wayward children or husband or wife or whatever? Verses on any of this would be helpful but everyones thoughts are welcome to maybe give me a different perspective.
My Mother prayed to God on my behalf for 37 years, God finally answered her prayers about 2 years before she died.

[kjlistrom]

There are some good books on the will of God, I'll look some up for you.

[Gordon b]

How much free will do we have? To much!

[PlentyGroovy]

It does get a little confusing...He chooses us and we choose Him. He sees us as a finished work, He knows every decision we will ever make, He knows the hairs on our head, He knew us and planned us before we were even born. It's a little mind boggling.

Edit add...our decisions are not pre-determined, they are not pre-decided, but they are pre-known.:nod

[rriley]

To much!

You are right - it got us in the mess we are in, and it keeps there.

[HeIsEnough]

How much free will do we have? Is it like it God wants us to do something he puts barriers in our way to cause us to go this way or that? I'm not looking for a real answer just thoughts on it since I dont know if there even is a real answe or that we even understand God's ways.


:wave

Interesting pictures you stated, and right on I believe. To me, God gives just enough volition to truly accept or reject His Son, by His enabling and drawing. He does certainly have 'a way' off not allowing people to 'see' what He has purposed they cannot see. Intercessory prayer cannot change a persons own volition, but it can bring about circumstances which may bring the truth into focus for choices to be made. That is the sort of thing I pray for now, the brokenness. Anyway, just some thoughts friend.

[Armywife Jane]

Edit add...our decisions are not pre-determined, they are not pre-decided, but they are pre-known.:nod

Thank you for that statement. Puts it so simple.
I heard Franklin Graham(I think it was him) trying to explin to Larry King about predestination. Larry was trying to put him in a spot about saying we didnt have free will. Franklin Graham said its like watching a movie then rewinding it. We already know whats going to happen.

[Roots to Wings]

:wave

Intercessory prayer cannot change a persons own volition, but it can bring about circumstances which may bring the truth into focus for choices to be made.

This was what I was looking for I guess. You explained it better than what I tried to.

Ok so can anyone add thoughts to this? Examples maybe?